This section includes:Health Protection Policy For Faculty And Students |
Table of Contents:
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All students and faculty are expected to render quality nursing care to all clients whatever their diagnosis. It is incumbent on both students and faculty to be well aware of policies and procedures to reduce the risk of spread of infection to self and others. No student will be expected to care for clients until current information about acquiring and transmitting infections has been taught and laboratory simulation practice of Universal Precautions and/or Body Substance Isolation has occurred. Other skills which incorporate measures to decrease the transmission of infection, e.g. administration of parenteral medications, will be validated in the practice laboratory prior to the clinical application.
Faculty are responsible for supervising and monitoring a student's initial experiences in caring for clients with communicable diseases or conditions which have provider risks. Students are expected to voice their concerns about any health issues related to clinical experience and inform their instructor in a timely and appropriate manner. Students may also seek counsel from their faculty advisor about any chronic condition or concern they have that may influence their clinical practice. The principles of confidentiality will be respected. However, after appropriate education and counseling, a student who, for whatever reason, is unable to fully participate in clinical practice and, therefore, does not meet the requirements of the major, may be advised to seek alternative career counseling.
Students presenting with an acute or chronic
illness, especially if immuno-compromised, may be advised, based on
medical and nursing input, to withdraw from the clinical practice
course until the condition is controlled or resolved. Because of the
limitations of knowledge regarding the effects of exposure to
communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, and teratogens
during pregnancy, pregnant students should make their status known to
their clinical instructor and advisor as soon as possible, so
appropriate considerations may be given to decrease possible risks to
the unborn.
Proper self-protection using universal precautions will limit the transmission of diseases or infections. It must be noted that expenses incurred in the course of treatment are the responsibility of the individual. See Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing Exposure Control Plan on file in the Administrative Office and in the Learning Resource Center, as well as the specifics of this policy.
In order to better inform and prepare nursing
students for physical and psychological demands of providing safe
patient care, the following document was prepared by the Recruitment,
Admission and Progression (RAP) Committee, and approved by the School
of Nursing Organization (Last update: October 2004).
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPECTATIONS OF NURSING STUDENTS
PREPARING FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE
To be admitted to and progress in the Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing, a student must be aware of and meet the requirements identified in the following description of work performance of practicing nursing professionals.
| Title: |
Baccalaureate Nursing Student |
| Work Hours: | Varies with shifts and setting and includes 12-hour shifts, (includes travel to clinical sites throughout the Puget Sound area) |
| Full/Part Time: |
Full and Part Time |
General Responsibilities/Requirements: The nursing student is responsible for performing patient assessment, planning care delivery, performing nursing intervention and teaching patients, family members and communities about health and illness. Responsibilities include reviewing the patient’s chart, assessing the patient’s medical condition, complaints and concerns, assessing biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of the patient’s health, carrying out physician’s orders, and determining appropriate treatment and medication. Direct care includes administering medications and completing nursing procedures such as catheterization, suctioning, dressing changes and responding to emergencies as they occur, as well as counseling, teaching and crisis intervention. The student also assists patients with meals, positioning, transporting and transferring in and out of bed, and in walking. Information gathered about the patient is regularly and appropriately communicated to the health care team. The student also engages in community-based activities in which care to families, groups and target populations is delivered. This requires participation in agency and independent activities.
Machines, Tools, or Moving Equipment: The student uses
a variety of medical supplies and equipment; e.g., stethoscope, blood
pressure cuff, IV poles, tubing and pumps, portable monitoring units,
needles, clamps and scissors, syringes, patient support bars, hospital
bed, wheelchairs, etc.
| Percent of Time Spent: |
Required: |
|
| Sitting
|
10% |
Occasional sitting is possible when taking patient’s history or recording on patient’s chart. |
| Standing |
50% |
Standing and walking during the entire work day. |
| Walking |
40% |
| Yes |
No |
Required: |
|
| Twist |
X |
|
Occaisional twisting while working around tables & chairs in patient's room. |
| Stoop/Bend |
X |
Occaisional stooping and/or bending to retrieve supplies from lower storage areas. |
|
| Squat
|
X |
||
| Kneel |
X |
||
| Crawl |
X |
||
| Climb |
X |
||
| Push/Pull |
X |
Pushing and pulling various pieces of medical equipment on wheels. |
|
| Grasp/Handling |
X |
Continuous grasping and handling of medical supplies, equipment, medications and items. |
|
| Reach over Shoulders |
X |
The capacity to reach full range of motion. |
|
| Reach at Waist |
X |
See above |
|
| Reach below Waist |
X |
See above | |
| Kneel |
X |
See above |
While Working the Student Must:
| Yes |
No |
Required: |
|
| Lift up to 10 lbs. |
X |
|
Continuously lifting medical supplies and equipment weighing up to 5 lbs. |
| Lift 11-20 lbs. |
X |
Occaisionally lift PCA monitors and other equipment weighing up to 20 lbs. |
|
| Lift 21-50 lbs. |
X |
Occaisionally assist in 2-person lifting of patients. |
|
| Lift over 50 lbs. |
X |
Identifying specific weights lifted
in a transfer is difficult because it is dependent upon the amount of
assistance the patient is able to offer. |
| Yes |
No |
Required: |
|
| Carry up to 10 lbs. |
X |
|
Continuously carrying medical supplies and equipment weighing up to 5 lbs. |
| Carry 11-20 lbs. |
X |
Occaisionally carry items weighing up to 20 lbs. |
|
| Carry 21-50 lbs. |
X |
The student uses carts to transport heavier items. |
|
| Carry over 50 lbs. |
X |
See above |
Personal Strengths: The student is expected to accept persons
whose appearance, condition and behavior and values may be in conflict
with his/her own. Nursing care including all needed personal health
services must be carried out regardless of the patient’s race,
ethnicity, age, gender, religious preference or sexual orientation.
In collaboration with other health team members, the student works toward the goal of easing the burden of physical and emotional pain of those assigned to his/her care. In order to assist others in regaining health, it is essential that the student maintains his/her own level of wellness.
Working Environment: There are many settings in which the nursing student gains experience, e.g., hospital, nursing home, public health and community agencies, home visits, school setting and clinics. The most physically demanding may be in the hospital or nursing home setting where there is a nursing station with patient rooms in the surrounding area. The flooring often varies and students are expected to walk distances while monitoring patients’ conditions. These active, busy environments require the ability to keep track of a large number of activities at a time.
Overall Requirements: Essential functions necessary to complete the program of study leading to a BSN degree at Pacific Lutheran University include the use of all the senses to gather information, e.g., observing color changes in the skin, hearing heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope, palpating pulses and feeling heat/cold skin. The program requires sufficient fine motor abilities to manipulate equipment in a safe and effective manner. The program requires the use of speech, reading and writing to communicate with clients, families, and other health care professionals. Patient care requires the ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources and apply it in making decisions regarding safe client care. The student always maintains a level of consciousness and alertness that ensures patient safety. The student has the emotional stability and flexibility to direct care functions, engage in therapeutic communications and counseling, and function effectively in situations of stress. This includes the capacity to function outside the personal comfort zone, placing clients’ needs first.
During each shift or clinical experience, the nursing student is
assigned patient care which includes medication administration and
direct care functions. Assistance in lifting is usually available
for items that are too heavy. The student can be relieved of
emergency response duties, but must be prepared to administer emergency
care if other personnel are not available.
The student must notify the School of Nursing of any restrictions or modifications that may need to be considered.
Students are not expected to directly participate in medical procedures
that are in conflict with personal beliefs and values. This does
not preclude, however, the obligation to learn the underlying
principles and take care of clients before and after such procedures.
Specific health and certification requirements must be completed by nursing students, at the beginning of the program as well as yearly during enrollment in nursing courses. These requirements serve many purposes: to comply with the policies of the clinical agencies in which students receive learning experiences; to protect the university by ensuring strict adherence to its guidelines; to ensure that clients receive quality care; and to protect the student in the clinical area. Contractual agreements are made between the School of Nursing and each clinical agency to which students are assigned; these agreements certify that each student has completed the health and certification requirements. It is imperative that the School of Nursing comply with these agreements by requiring that all nursing students have current and up-to-date evidence of having met all health-related requirements on file with the School of Nursing offices before being allowed to participate in any clinical activities ("Clinical" is defined as any activity or instruction outside the classroom setting).
Failure to meet all health and certification
requirements will prevent the student from beginning and/or continuing
in clinical nursing courses and thereby may alter progression in the
program. Students are responsible for the submission, maintenance and
record keeping of their own health information. Although the School of
Nursing must have the health and certification records of all students
on record in its offices, students are strongly urged to maintain their
own health records.
» Please refer to the School of Nursing Health Requirements Packet (click here to download) for complete information and required documentation.
Washington State Patrol Clearance
All entering students are required by State law to undergo screening by
the Washington State Patrol for validation of evidence/no evidence of
criminal history. All Washington State schools of nursing are required
to have clearance verification on all students prior to student
participation in clinical experiences. The process is handled within
the PLU School of Nursing with the completed paper work required before
the start of nursing courses. This clearance must be repeated every two
years.
Because clearance is required as part of the admissions process,
non-clearance may necessitate the student withdrawing from nursing
classes. WSP Clearance release forms are available to pick up from the
School of Nursing main office, or they can be downloaded from the Student Resources information and downloads website.
| Includes ... |
Professional Conduct
For the protection of clients and the institution, nursing students who
consistently fail to demonstrate safe practice or who violate standards
of professional conduct are subject to dismissal from the School of
Nursing. Concerns related to student competency or professional conduct
will be referred to the School of Nursing Student Recruitment,
Admission, and Progression Committee for review.
Problems involving possible violation of Pacific Lutheran University's
policies as stated in the PLU Student Handbook are reported to the
Office of the Vice President of Student Life for disposition.
Professional nurses and nursing students must be honest and ethical in all matters. Evidence of dishonesty in the classroom, lab, or clinical areas, unethical conduct or lack of integrity in matters related to patient care or learning constitutes failure to maintain professional conduct. Such behaviors may result in dismissal from the School of Nursing.
See the Handbook chapter on Academic Progression (Professional Conduct section) for an additional discussion of professional behaviors.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation between the
university and clinical practice settings and are encouraged to car
pool; however, the diversity of agencies makes having private
transportation essential. Parking areas for student use are designated
by the agencies. Students are strongly discouraged from transporting
clients in their private vehicles and, if done, are covered only to the
extent of their own insurance.
Jury Duty
Students who are called for jury duty may request release using the
appropriate form. The form should be filled out to include a statement
on the situation, obligated class and clinical hours, study, cost, time
and impact on academic progress, etc. The Dean will provide written
verification of student status, if requested.
Program Expenses
Appendix D lists estimated costs of the various items required for
completion of the nursing program. Separate estimates have been
compiled for Basic and LPN students.
Clinical Placement
The School of Nursing uses a variety of clinical sites; student choices
are honored when possible, although choices are honored according to
the number of academic credits accrued. Exceptions are rarely made and
are based on very limited criteria. At times, due to agency and/or
School of Nursing requirements, choices may not be available. Clinical
assignments also are subject to change after registration, if
necessary, to meet agency and School need.
Students who have extraordinary circumstances must submit a request, in
writing, to the Undergraduate Scheduling Coordinator, by the designated date prior to clinical
placement registration. The Undergraduate Scheduling Coordinator will make decisions regarding
all placement requests. The only considerations regarded as
"extraordinary" in the assignment of clinical placements are as follows:
Clinical assignments may not be changed after the first day of classes.
Updated March 1, 2005
Maintained by the School of Nursing RAP Committee